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Social Security Embraces Diversity

Ramadan, which begins on June 6 this year, is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran. This is only one of many different religious celebrations that will take place in America, as we are one of the most diverse countries on the Earth. This is what makes us special — this is what makes us strong.

Social Security embraces diversity. We provide benefits for all Americans, regardless of race, religion, or sexual preference. You can see that by reading our blog, Social Security Matters. We covers issues concerning many different religious and ethnic communities. Our articles and guest posts are tagged by topic at http://blog.socialsecurity.gov/.

We also strive to provide everyone with superior service, something that people of all backgrounds can appreciate. Social Security rolled out a new service that allows some of our customers to request a replacement Social Security card online using a secure mySocial Security account from the comfort of home. You can create or log into your personal mySocial Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

When you open a mySocial Security account, we protect your information by using strict identity verification and security features. The application process has built-in features to detect fraud and confirm your identity.

In certain cases, security experts at Social Security will contact you to ensure it is a legitimate application. We only issue a replacement card if there’s no suspicion of fraud and only mail it to a verified address.

To take advantage of this new service option, you must:

Have or create a mySocial Security account;

Have a valid driver’s license in a participating state or the District of Columbia (or a state-issued identification card in some states);

Be age 18 or older and a United States citizen with a domestic U.S. mailing address (this includes APO, FPO, and DPO addresses); and

Not be requesting a name change or any other changes to your card

We plan to add more states, so we encourage you to check with us later in the year!

Before you request a replacement card online, you may want to consider whether you need to get a replacement card at all. Most times, knowing your number is what’s important. You’ll rarely need the card itself, perhaps only when you get a new job and have to show it to your employer.

74 thoughts on “Social Security Embraces Diversity”

I find this all so troubling. This is what at best can be called BALLYHOO. No where does it say that you cannot have a MY Account if you reside outside the USA. I had an account until I retired and live outside.
Another thing that is misrepresentation is the use of the url for Social Security Admin. – we were encouraged to apply online and there still is Marketing” to encourage this. However, the system does not function for Spousal Applications and SSA is aware of this yet they continue the charade. It is near impossible to reach them on the telephone as they loop you around and even when you reach the Call Center,, the IVR (Interactive Voice Response) reminds you that 50 million receive benefits. What does this mean on a helpline – wait until eternity for an answer. Then there is the we will call you back. Well, even though I use the International numbers and pushes, the telephone number that was repeated to me as the number that will be called back is the standard for the USA with area code and number (10 digits) whereas the Internal format is 12 digits, therefore one never receives the promised call-back. My spousal application has been in the works for 8 months, soon to be 9 without any recognition or status reporting despite numerous attempts. Go figure!

Your remarks typify the problems SSA has when they try to replace people with technology. The result is poorer service. In your case I’d go the the closest consulate and get them to make inquiries for you to see what the holdup is.

Diversity has proven to be a disaster wherever it is embrased. Great Britain is a good example. Societies are successful when it emphasises assimilation of immigrants into the American way of life. Such has made us exceptional in the past.

Most people when they immigrate to the USA want to melt into its culture. This is why they came here in the first place. The problem is that it takes time because it is hard to let go of what you are comfortable with from your past. Therefore, the second generation usually melts but has the best of both cultures. The third generation completely melts. It takes time.

Does anyone else think this is strange? I do not recall receiving a “diversity” notification from the Social Security for any other religious holiday, date, period, etc. I am so sick of Party Politics. Party politics is a plague on our nation, a disease to our Constitution, a clear and present danger to the Republic. Is the Social Security Administration willing to put out a positive post on the Jewish faith, Christian, Shinto, Buddhism? Why would any department or agency single out the Muslim faith for special consideration over any other? In my opinion, the government should stick to what they do best which is to fail at everything they do and run up trillions of debt.

Boy did you get it right ! Just one more incompetent government agency espousing more political correct BS. Wouldn’t it be nice if they spent their energy on doing their job, like paying back the money they have stolen from me.

I agree. Since when is only the Muslim holy occasion given attention through the social security site. And why should this topic be addressed on this site at all?
Very troubling about where this country is being led …

I believe in the principals of religious belief and their practices however, I am very much opposed to the granting of any type of government holidays for religious reasons, which I believe circumvent the constitutional provisions of separation of Church and State.
The United States has either ignored the Constitution or has pretended to approve laws that are contrary to our founding fathers fundamental intent.

Yes. Now let’s all make sure our school cafeterias EMBRACE Halal sanctioned food for all our children. Remove pork products too, meanwhile every self respecting Jew never once complained about pork products in schools.

John F.Kennedy commented on the topic in 1960 believing “In a America where the Separation of Church is Absolute…”, In addition and notably Thomas Jefferson elaborated in an 1802 letter referencing The First Ammendment to the United States Constitution. …”which declared that their Legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of Religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between Church and State”.

You have a mistaken concept of separation of church and state. It was to kept state out of the churches business not people with religous beliefs out of gov’t. Look back a documents of our founding fathers and how many times they invoked God’s guidance and blessings on their endeavors. They understood the separation totally.

Actually, the purpose of 1st admenent was to stop any state from having a state religion, which was one of the Protestant churches or the Catholic Church . Certainly not muslim since the Marines had already fought them on the shores of Tripole because they were pirates. Look it up.

I am very troubled that a federal agency like the Social Security Administration feels it’s acceptable to highlight the religious celebrations of one faith when we as Christians in America are continually put down for expressing our faith . I absolutely respect and support our constitutional right of freedom of religion, but our government needs to equally protect this right.

It is troubling and this post was entirely unnecessary. For some reason the current administration sees a need to jamb everything Muslim down our throats. Every month is declared dedicated to one perversion or another. Back in the day this was called brain washing.

I agree with your comment…what is bothering me is do muslim women work and if not why are they on our Social Sec page…they should not collect if they haven’t paid into the system…I am also bothered by the totalization of mexico and every other foreign country whose citizens have worked here and collect our, OUR social security!

Hello Sharri! The United States has bilateral Social Security agreements with 25 countries. International Social Security agreements, often called “Totalization agreements,” help assure continuity of benefit protection for persons who have acquired Social Security credits under the system of the United States and the system of another country. To learn more, please visit our International Programs webpage.

I always believe Social Security was for the working people who put their HARD EARN money into it for Savings AND their Retirement. It is not suppose to be for every body who has not work and did not put in hard earn money into it.. So the government is stealing our hard earn money that we save while working. I do not mind if Social Security help the disable for they need the help…Social Security is not a give away for lazy people that do not want to work or people of other countries and give them our HARD EARN MONEY.. SOCIAL SECURITY IS NOT A BENEFIT IT IS EARN BY HARD WORKING PEOPLE…SO WHY DOES NOT THE GOVERNMENT KEEP THEIR HANDS OUT OF IT AND LEAVE IT TO THE PEOPLE IT BELONGS…I BELIEVE IN WORKING FOR WHAT YOU GET AND TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF LIKE ALOT OF AMERICANS HAVE..
THIS PROBABLY WON’T BE READ BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY…I BELIEVE WHAT THEY ARE DOING WITH THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM IS WRONG . FROM THE PRESIDENT ON DOWN TO SENATE AND CONGRESS…THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE BUT ABOUT POWER OVER US..I JUST GOT STARTED, BUT I WILL STOP FOR NOW…

Ramadan? What about recognizing D-Day, the beginning of the greatest battle in World War II? It began on June 6, 1944. It led to the eventual downfall of Nazi Germany. I guess it was before the time of this writer’s education and because history is not taught in schools anymore, the writer has no sense of history. It therefore is more important to dwell on “diversity.”

Our diversity does not make us strong. Our rule of law is what makes us strong. Our belief that whether we are rich or poor we will get the same Justice. As we mature we see that that is not always the case. But it is what is taught in school. And as we see the growing difference between outcomes it is what makes us weak. Our strength comes from uniting not diversifying. Our strength is our tolerance for other points of view and arriving at a consensus, and going forward united. Never did this country become great thru diversity only through uniting and moving forward.

I have not understood why the Social Security Administration has felt it was in their job description to educate us about anything that doesn’t relate to our Social Security benefits. I hope they are writing this blog off the clock.

The Bill of RIghts: Amendment I, Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

I suspect the SSA is abiding by this part of our bill of rights. Muslims, Christians, Jews, Atheists, and so on, all have this “RIght”. All have to abide by it also.

Nonreligious Muslims are not bad people. They are misinformed and lied about Mohamed and his gang. The Quran is nothing more than a group of words put together by his followers, years after his death, He is no prophet.
I do not believe he ever wanted to be one. I truly believe that he was possessed by the devil and was very sick mentally He had only one thing in mind and that was to take over the region and have a kingdom for himself. Same as Hitler, Mussolini. They all started with subtle messages, like “Commemoration of Ramadan and diversity” Is this what this government is wanting to do to us?

Ummm…..wasn’t the Christian Bible also a “group of words put together by his followers, years after his death?” Not to mention the fact that the ‘books’ of the Bible were chosen by a group of men, words were changed and/or misinterpreted, and some accounts were thrown out completely. Look at your own religion before you judge someone else’s. Did anyone on here not take a history of religion class in college? Did any of you even go to college? LOL….this seriously made me laugh..thanks for the chuckle, you brightened my boring work day. 🙂

Doug Walker,
This suppose to be a blog about S.S. .
This is not a platform for yours or the POTUS opinions on religious beliefs.
I am forwarding this to my congressional district office, this a waste of my and what seems to be the vast majority of this blogs readers time and tax dollars.

If you care to explain the importance of Muslim, Jewish & Christian holidays then
Start another blog on your own dollars not mine.

Brian, when you refer to “you/yours”, are you talking about the SSA or folks commenting on the blog, which was kicked off by the SSA. And what led me here, was a SSA email telling me all about Ramadan, the Quran, and all the embracing hoopla. IMO, there’s no real need for the SSA to be spending a dime on all their big online advertising campaigns, whether it’s “embracing” Muslims, or gator wrestlers — but DO spend mucho budget dollars on things like investigations for SS Disibility & Medicare fraud. SSA’s wasting money right in front of our faces, and sending everyone emails, pretty much saying so. Why is there ANY need to bring religion into the SSA system in the first place? :-/

I agree there should not be any governmental recognition of religious holidays. Therefore we Should not recognize Christmas or Easter. By the way i cannot believe there are so many anti-Obama “Americans” on this thread. I hated George W Bush but i still respected that he was still our president.

Why is a Government website being used to write about the meaning of Ramadan and the Koran? This is a violation of the First Amendment and yet it seems according to this administration, a violation occurs only when there is a writing about Christianity or Judaism. Do you really think we haven’t noticed what you’re doing?

I am rather surprised by the overwhelming negative reaction to this article. In May, Social Security Matters featured Asian Americans and Pacific Island Americans. I guess next month SSA will highlight another ethnic group. I have no problem with SSA calling attention to our diversity and to itself as a critical part of our social and financial safety net.
In my personal dealings with SSA both when my mom was dying and when my own SSA account was hacked, I found very competent and friendly employees who have been wonderful to work with.

It doesn’t matter the religion. The thing that matter is all the fraud that is going on. When these people are on SSI and live in a big house, they are probably living with someone in that household. They are not reporting the whole household income. If they got a three bedroom house, then they are probably not there by themselves.

In the richer neighborhood where all of the houses are big, how can someone on SSI live there alone without any financial support. The support will reduce or eliminate them from SSI.

Thank you Doug Walker for your posting. For myself I prefer to live by the Golden Rule “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.

Having said that I will leave all of the unkind commenters with this. One does not have to be any one particular party, ethnicity or religion to see the value of this by Robert F. Kennedy as it is truth indeed.

“When you teach a man to hate and to fear his brother, when you teach that he is a lesser man because of his color, or his beliefs or the policies that he pursues, when you teach that those who differ from you, threaten your freedom or your job or your home or your family, then you also learn to confront others not as fellow citizens, but as enemies.”

I find it interesting that the SSA is touting its diversity efforts by promoting LGBT lifestyles and Islam in the same blog. This, as a Muslim terrorist kills over 50 people at a gay bar during Ramadan. How ironic.

I was sickened to see the Crap about Muslims on the governorment website! What has this world come to? For heavens sake OPEN YOUR EYES! This Crap all started when Obama took office! WE HAVE WORKED HARD TO HAVE MONEY TO LIVE ON, AS WE AGE IFVU DIE BEFORE RETIREMENT AND HAVE NO SPOUSE, the government keeps the money, it should go to your next of kin! You worked for that money, we should not have to keep up Everyone! Politicians are rich people who have no clue what is like to worry about retirement, WE THE PEOPLE TAKE CARE OF THEM! I CAN HONESTLY SAY I HATE MY COUNTRY! THE GOVERNORMENT IS A BUNCH OF WHIMPS!

I receive benefits as ssdi and like to know in general if im getting married soon how this affected me if my wife cant work due she take care of me full time due my disability. im 51 year old. thank you.